Diamonds of Aegean & Mediterranean Coastline

Diamonds of Aegean & Mediterranean Coastline

Tour Highlights
Diamonds of Aegean & Mediterranean coastline of Turkey tour programme covers most famous historical and relaxing cities on your holiday. You will have guided tours in historical towns and you will be freedom with your self drive. You will have dream vacation in Turkey that never forget.

Diamonds of Aegean & Mediterranean Coastline
Day 1 : Flight From Istanbul to Izmir – Sirince Village
Fly from Istanbul to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. Duration takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. Upon arrival to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. You will be picked up from airport and drive to Sirince Village. It takes 1 hour 10 minutes. Rest of the day and Overnight at hotel in Sirince Village.

Sirince Village : Sirince is a beautiful hill and local village located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) east of the Selcuk town, near Ephesus, in the Aegean hinterland south of Izmir city in Turkey. It is only 30 km away from Kusadasi town. It was settled in the 15th century after Ephesus was abandoned. However the current buildings date back to the 19th century. It was once Cirkince (“ugly”). Indeed its habitants gave this name on purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood that the village was not ugly at all and called it Sirince (“pretty”). As the village is located on the top of a mountain, anyone will enjoy the impressive wine yards’ and peach trees’ views on his way. Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turk-Greek culture. Şirince acquired world-wide fame when tourists flocked to the village in December 2012 to witness the Mayan Apocalypse, as New Age mystics believed its “positive energy” would aid in weathering the catastrophe, during the 2012 phenomenon.

Day 2 : Ephesus & Virgin Mary House Tour
Breakfast at hotel. You will be picked up from the hotel in Sirince Village and drive to Ephesus Ancient City. You will have fully guided Ephesus & Virgin Mary House Tour.
We will start to visit celsus library, the Temple Of Hadrian and the Trajan Fountain in the Ancient Ephesus. After walking on the historical marble street the Great Theater where St. Paul preached will meet at the end. Then drive Isa Bey Mosque, After visiting Isabey Mosque, stop in a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon will visit the Proceed to shrine of Mother Mary (Virgin Mary House), it is believed where she spent recent years of her life. Then visit Temple Of Artemis (Diana), on the side of one of the seven wonders of ancient World.
At the end of the tour, return back to hotel. Overnight in Sirince Village.

Day 3 : Priene – Miletos & Didyma Tour – Kusadasi
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel in sirince Village. Pick up from the hotel for fully guided Priene – Miletos & Didyma Tour.Drive to Priene Ancient City. We will visit the theater, the temple of Athena, the Bouleterium, the Agora, and the Altar of Zeus and Cybele. After visiting Priene, we will have lunch in one of the local restaurant in the area. Afterwards, drive to Didyma Ancient City, Visiting Temple Of the Apollon which was the biggest Oracle Center of ancient Turkey. Our last stop will be at Miletus Ancient City, established on the sea shore at that period.Also it was knowen Thales’s home. The city was destroyed by the Persians in 5th century BC.
At the end of the tour, Return to Kusadasi. Check into hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 4 : Self Exploration in Kusadasi
Breakfast at hotel. Relaxing Day in Kusadasi. Overnight at hotel in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi : Kusadasi, which means “bird island”, is set in a superb gulf in the Aegean region of Turkey and is known for its turquoise sparkling water of the Sea, broad sandy beaches, bright sun and large marina with a capacity for 600 boats.  A glorious ancient city stands beside it, Ephesus with hundreds of thousands of visitors from tours each year. People have lived in the Kusadasi area since 3000BC when the Leleges people settled here. They were followed by the Aeolians in the 11th century BC, and the Ionians in the 9th. Kusadasi has been a port town for well over two thousand years, and though it started out small, it became more important when the original harbour at Ephesus dried up. In later years both the Lydians and Persians lived here until Alexander the Great conquered in 334BC and the Hellenistic people took over. Kusadasi’s colourful history does not end there though as several other great civilisations have also called this place home – the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians, and the Genoese. Later it was the Ottomans and the Turks who built most of what you see here today.

Day 5 : Kusadasi – Pamukkale – Bodrum  (Self Drive After Pamukkale)
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. You will be picked up from the hotel in Kusadasi and join to the group. Drive to Pamukkale for fully guided Pamukkale & Hierapolis Ancient City Tour.
You will see the Cotton Cilifts. Pamukkale is an extraordinary natural wonder. The calceus waters rise from the ground at a temperature of 35 C and tumple down the mountain from a height of 100 meters, forming a myriad of pools. Cream-colored stalactites are formed as the water overflows from the pools, creating a breathtaking sight unequalled in the world. Also visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theatre, Roman Bath and Necropolis.
** Swimming in ancient spring pool of Pamukkale is possible with extra charge if you are planning to swim please bring your swimming suites with you.
At the end of the Pamukkale tour, we will give you rent a car.
Drive from Pamukkale to Bodrum. Rent A Car. Upon arrival to Bodrum. Check into hotel. Overnight in Bodrum.

Note:
You will have a car from Pamukkale untill Antalya. You will do Self Exploring with your car in the towns and on the ways. You will be more flexible and you will decide when to go and how long you like to spend in the towns. Your hotel rooms will reserved under your names in the towns. If you like that you can do late checkin to the hotels as well. That means you will spend your time as you wish.

Day 6 : Rent A Car & Self Exploration in Bodrum
Breakfast at hotel. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration in Kusadasi. Overnight at hotel in Bodrum.

Bodrum : Bodrum is the site of the ancient city of Halikarnassus, the location of the famous Mausoleum of Halikarnassus (built after 353 BCE) – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Unfortunately, the ancient monument was destroyed by earthquakes in the Middle Ages – some of the remnants can be seen in London’s British Museum.
Bodrum is a fascinating place as it has a pleasing contrast between the Ancient city – where there are discernable fragments everywhere in the town -and a playground for rich Turks and an array of foreign visitors. It is one of the centres of the Turkish Tourist industry and is the market town for the Bodrum Peninsula which consists of a number of towns and villages nestling on the edge of the Coast.

Day 7 : Rent A Car & Self Exploration in Bodrum
Breakfast at hotel. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration in Bodrum. Overnight at hotel in Bodrum.

Day 8 : Rent A Car & Bodrum – Fethiye (Self Exploration)
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel in Bodrum. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration.
If you like you can spend your time in Bodrum or if you like that you can go early to Fethiye and spend more time in Fethiye. Overnight at hotel in Fethiye.

Fethiye : Situated in Turkey’s Aegean region, Fethiye lies among rolling green scenery that filters out into beautiful turquoise bays. Remains of the town’s Lycian past are fascinating to see, with sites like the breathtaking Tomb of Amyntas on your doorstep. The region is a paraglider’s paradise and attracts hikers and horse riders, too. Fethiye is a short distance from one of the most famous beaches in Turkey, the dazzling blue lagoon. Fethiye is located on the old ancient city of “Telmessos” which you can see the ruins and theatre in the town. Town is popular with tourism and its amazing nature. In an legend “Telmessos” is described as the name of the son of God Apollo. He fells in love with the daughter of the King Agenor, the king of Phoenicia. He turns his self in to a small dog and gains the love of the withdrawn, shy daughter. Then appears as a handsome man and have the son named “Telmessos” which means “Land of the Lights” The city became part of the Persian Empire 547 BC. “Telmessos” joined the “Attic Delos Union” established in 5th century BC. Later city left the union and became an independent city, continued its relations with the union until the 4th century BC.

Day 9 : Rent A Car & Self Exploration in Fethiye
Breakfast at hotel. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration in Fethiye. Overnight at hotel in Fethiye.

Day 10 : Rent A Car & Fethiye – Kas  (Self Exploration)
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel in Fethiye. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration.
If you like you can spend your time in fethiye or if you like that you can go early to Kas and spend more time in Kas. Overnight at hotel in Kas.

Kas : once an unspoiled fishing village, is now a relatively unspoiled tourist town on the southern bulge of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast two hours’ drive southeast of Fethiye and three hours’ drive southwest of Antalya. It’s a small and charming coastal resort where many sailing boats anchor in its small marina. The Lycian style sarcophagus at the beginning of the street running down to the port is almost the symbol of this lovely town. Kas was originally called Habesos or Habesa in the ancient language of Lycia, and later was given the name of Antiphellos. Phellos was the name of the city across Kas and was a Greek word meaning “stony place”, and this name is very well suited to the area. So, because Kas was built just across Phellos, the citizens called their town as Antiphellos (across Phellos). Antiphellos, which once was a member of the Lycian League, is known to have gained reputation and importance as a port town during the Hellenistic period around 4th century BC, sustaining its significance as one of the leading towns during the Roman period as well. During the Byzantine era, Kas was a bishop’s see. Today, there are several Lycian sarcophagi around and a well preserved ancient theater in the town.

Day 11 : Rent A Car & Kas – Antalya  (Self Exploration)
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel in Kas. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration.
If you like you can spend your time in Kas or if you like that you can go early to Antalya and spend more time in Antalya. Overnight at hotel in Antalya.

Day 12 : Perge – Aspendos & Side Tour
Breakfast at hotel. You will be picked up from your hotel and join to the group and you will have fully guided to Perge – Aspendos & Side Ancient Cities.
Depart in the morning to visit Perge, an important city of ancient Pamphylia, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. St. Paul visited Perge on his first missionary journey. The theatre stage has finely carved marble reliefs & other carvings from around the city are displayed in the stadium. Then proceed to Aspendos, which bears one of the best preserved Roman theatres in Asia Minor. After lunch by the river, we visit Manavgat Waterfalls before continuing to Side. Side is one of the best-known classical sites in Turkey. It was an ancient harbour, today Side is a pretty resort town with its ancient ruins & two sandy beaches. The magnificent theatre of the ancient city, built on colonnaded arches, is the largest in the whole area. Other monuments include the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, which is situated near the sea, a fountain & Necropolis.
At the end of the tour, return back to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Antalya.

Day 13 : Rent A Car & Self Exploration in Antalya
Breakfast at hotel. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration in Antalya. Overnight at hotel in Antalya.

Note:  Your rent a car will finished at 20:00 pm. You deliver the car at the hotel at 20:00 in Antalya.

Day 14 : Antalya – Istanbul
Breakfast & Check out from the hotel. Today is your free day to relax and self exploration in Antalya. According flight departure time pick up from the hotel and transfer to Antalya Airport. Flight from Antalya to Istanbul. Upon arrival to Istanbul. It will be end of the Diamonds of Aegean & Mediterranean Coastline tour itinerary.

Kaydet

Kaydet

Kaydet